I fight like a woman, I am no less empowered in strength: Tapsee Pannu

Tapsee Pannu speaks about how she has fought the hard fight, quite literally, to ascend the ranks of Bollywood. Starting out in the industry was tough, tells Pannu, "I've done films where all I had to do was dance around a big male star, be the unlucky charm if the film didn't work and be forced to slash your prices." But the actor was not beaten by the experience, rather it motivated her to craft a more unique selling point for herself. "I told myself I would do whatever it takes to not be the replaceable woman. And I did that, by fighting like a girl. I went back to those same people and they were standing in a queue to have me, and I could demand double the price." Pannu, who featured in Pink and now Akshay Kumar's latest film, Naam Shabana has certainly had the last laugh. Speaking about her role in the Naam Shabana, Pannu says it was important to show roles needn't be determined by gender. "Shabana could have been Shabuum, but the fight would have been the same. The character doesn't change because she's a girl- it's on par, it's equal." Proving her proficiency in martial arts, Pannu demonstrates self defence moves and Kohnimaar with an audience participant - showing what it is to fight like a girl.

What she said:

People used to tell me, 'You don't look like the typical heroine', but I never wanted to.

I fought hand to hand in the film. I used techniques and the strength God gave me and that was enough.

When people say 'Fight like a girl' - it had connotations of being fragile. But I say fight like a woman in a positive sense, because I am in no way less empowered in strength.

People say women are not as strong as men physically. But it's not just about how big muscles you have - it's the brains you use with it, so that balances it out. It's not just horsepower - it's how and why you use that power.

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